From fine dining to simple burgers, Amsterdam diners are spoiled for choice. No matter what you crave, you’ll find a memorable meal at any of these top spots.
Read the story in easyJet Traveller
Category Archives: Amsterdam
I lived in Amsterdam from 2017 through 2020. I loved exploring corners of the city most tourists never see, and I continue to share the stories of those places with a worldwide English-speaking audience.
My Amsterdam travel writing has appeared in easyJet Traveller, Time Out, Preferred Travel, BA High Life, Are We Europe, the G Adventures blog, Ensemble Vacations publications, and Make Change.
For Time Out’s list of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods 2020: Amsterdam-Noord
In the buzzing borough of Amsterdam-Noord, shipyards have become cultural playgrounds and wide-open spaces beckon young families, artists, brewers and entrepreneurs. Hop on the free ferry from Centraal Station, in the opposite direction to most international visitors, to reach NDSM Wharf: the centre of Amsterdam’s street art scene and home to Europe’s largest monthly flea market at IJ-Hallen (these days with increased stall spacing and one-way route markers).
On this side of the River IJ, Noord’s young creatives have built a flourishing community of multi-concept businesses, like the cinema-slash-waterfront restaurant at FC Hyena (now with added drive-in theatre), SkateCafe – where you can take a break from the half-pipe for a meal and a glass of natural wine – and the urban beach at Pllek, with its airy organic restaurant built from old shipping containers.
The angular Eye Filmmuseum, Noord’s most iconic modern building, lies just a short bike ride from traditional villages lined with gabled wooden homes. Then, for a dose of adrenalin (plus an awesome view of the entire neighbourhood and the rest of Amsterdam beyond), brave Europe’s highest swing, perched atop A’DAM Tower.—Christina Newberry
For British Airways High Life: A walking tour of Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a compact capital city that’s perfect for exploring on foot. At its centre, the concentric circles of the 17th-century canal ring ensure you never walk in a straight line for long, and there’s something to discover around almost every bend…
Read the rest at BAHighLife.com
For Preferred Travel: My Amsterdam Weekend
For Preferred Travel magazine, I interviewed Amsterdam locals Kor Hoebe and Tessel de Heij about their favourite ways to spend a weekend in the city. You might not be able to follow their suggestions now, but there are some great tips for next summer.
For Ensemble Travel: Can’t-Miss Dining Experiences in the Dutch Capital
When you think of Dutch food, do you picture a raw herring or a big wedge of Gouda cheese? You should absolutely try these classics on your visit to Amsterdam, but don’t miss the chance to dive deeper into the city’s food culture with these can’t-miss local dining experiences…
Read the rest at Ensemble Travel
For Time Out: The 24 Best Restaurants in Amsterdam
It was a delicious task to collaborate on this dining guide for Time Out.
Read the list at Time Out Amsterdam
For Key Notes on Travel: Overtourism – Where Do We Go From Here?
You’ve seen it in the news. Tourists outnumbering locals in Venice. Anti-tourist protests and graffiti in Barcelona. As overtourism becomes an increasing concern for governments, travellers and residents of high-tourism areas, the travel industry must be part of the solution…
Read the rest in the latest issue of Key Notes on Travel or on the Canadian Traveller web site.
For Ensemble Travel: 10 Unique Experiences that Redefine Exotic Escapes
When we think of exotic escapes, we tend to think of fragrant spices and tropical air. But the truth is, you can find something exotic in every corner of the world, no matter the temperature. Here are 10 exotic experiences you may have never considered.
Fish For A Living Dinosaur In Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia
B.C.’s Fraser River is home to more than 40,000 sturgeon – the largest freshwater fish in North America, with a history dating back 200 million years…
Read the rest at Ensemble Travel
For Time Out: Contribution to the world’s best rooftop bars
I contributed the Amsterdam pick to Time Out’s round-up of the best rooftop bars, along with other Time Out Contributors from around the world.
Read the post at Time Out.
For Time Out Amsterdam: The 12 best cafés in Amsterdam
First things first: If you want coffee or a light meal in Amsterdam, a coffeeshop is not what you’re looking for. (Despite the name, those serve cannabis, not caffeine.) You want a koffiehuis or café. You’ll have your pick of spaces from classic to modern, and from understated to grand. No matter which style you choose, keep in mind that Amsterdam’s centuries-old café and restaurant culture is meant to be savoured – so settle in with a good book or one of the board games you’ll almost certainly find for guests to use.
Try ordering a koffie verkeerd – a ‘wrong coffee’ that’s the local latte equivalent – or a fresh mint or ginger tea. There are no free refills in this town, but at the very best cafés in Amsterdam your hot drink of choice may well come with a small cookie, and you’re welcome to linger as long as you like. And frankly, with those canalside views, we couldn’t think of anything better.
Read the rest at TimeOut.com